Matriarch Qin’s Request

Then came the moment Ling Xian had truly been waiting for.

Feng Lianhua gestured with a flourish, and the next item was revealed: a small root, glowing faintly with star-like specks.

"Behold! The Starlit Core Root. An spirit herb that enhances spiritual essence flow and anchors breakthroughs, especially during unstable realm advancements."

Gasps echoed.

"Rumored to be born during starfall events, it is sought by both cultivators and alchemists alike. Especially useful to those nearing the Foundation Establishment Realm. Starting at 100,000 spirit stones!"

"150,000!" a sharp voice shouted.

"180!"

"200!"

"220!"

"300,000," Ling Xian said softly.

Silence.

Even Feng Lianhua blinked. "An aggressive bid from Mr. Mo Ling. Do I hear 310?"

No one answered.

"Going once… twice… Sold!"

"Everything's falling into place. Perfectly."

Just as the attendants prepared to bring out the next item, a voice gently rang from the VIP seats.

"Host Feng," said Matriarch Qin, rising with grace. "I wish to request something—an audience with the seller of the Heaven Root Essence Pill Recipe."

Murmurs spread.

Feng Lianhua tensed slightly. "Lady Qin… per auction protocol, seller identities are strictly confidential."

"I understand," Qin Yuxuan said with a smile. "But it is a matter of great urgency… it concerns my daughter's health. If the seller is willing, I only ask for a brief conversation. Nothing more."

Feng Lianhua frowned, unsure how to respond.

Suddenly, a servant whispered in her ear.

"…the seller agreed to meet her," the servant said. "He's waiting in one of the private rooms."

Surprised, Feng Lianhua looked toward the back of the auction hall.

"He agreed? Just like that?"

She turned to Matriarch Qin and smiled professionally. "The seller has consented. You may proceed to Room Three after the auction."

Qin Yuxuan bowed her head slightly. "My thanks."

Meanwhile, Ling Xian sat with a serene smile.

"She has a daughter with a shattered foundation… and I have what she needs. A healing formula may help, yes—but combined with the Ecliptic Harmony Sutra, it will not only restore her… but elevate her."

"It's not manipulation. It's a gift. A fair exchange… of paths and destiny."

He closed his eyes in thought, already planning how to approach the meeting to offer healing through dual cultivation in the most respectful, considerate manner.

The buzz in the hall had barely settled from the sale of the Starlit Core Root, and many believed the night's treasures had come to an end. But Feng Lianhua's crimson lips curved into a knowing smile as she gracefully lifted her hand, silencing the murmurs.

"Ladies and gentlemen…" she began, her voice carrying a hint of mystery and reverence, "our final treasure tonight is not something one can simply measure in spirit stones or herbs. This… is legacy."

She motioned to a pair of golden-robed attendants, who stepped forward carrying a velvet-covered pedestal. The cloth was slowly lifted, revealing a deep sapphire lantern with ancient runes etched around its base. Inside it, a pale-blue flame danced without wind, smoke, or fuel. The air around it rippled faintly, and a spiritual pressure descended on the room.

"The Skypiercer Soul Lantern," Feng Lianhua announced, her voice rich with drama. "Forged during the era of the Ancient Warlocks, it is one of the few relics known to temper and illuminate the soul itself. One hour within its soul-tempered light can bring breakthroughs in spiritual enlightenment, soul core stabilization, or even the purging of inner demons. A sacred treasure, particularly for cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm or those with soul-related techniques."

Gasps and murmurs erupted among the crowd.

"Starting bid," she continued, "is five hundred thousand spirit stones."

A brief silence—then—

"Five hundred and fifty thousand!" barked an elder in dark green robes—Elder Han of the Green Bamboo Sect, known for his soul-cultivating arts.

"Five seventy-five!" countered a silver-haired woman in white. "My Azure Feather Pavilion needs this more than you, Han. Don't waste your sect's savings again."

"Hmph! That 'waste' helped me escape soul corrosion, Lan Yi!" Elder Han retorted. "Six hundred thousand!"

From his seat in the middle rows, Ling Xian narrowed his eyes, studying the lantern with deep thought.

The Skypiercer Soul Lantern… Even in the higher realms, this thing would cause a frenzy. But for now, my soul is stable. Still… if I could use it with the Ecliptic Harmony Sutra in the future…

He calmly leaned back, watching the storm unfold.

"Six fifty!" called a man from the Golden Spirit Sect, his voice confident. "And don't think of outbidding me again, Elder Han. You're still in debt for your last failed bid!"

"Debt? You dare bring that up in front of everyone?" Elder Han's eyes flared. "Seven hundred thousand!"

Now chaos broke out.

"Seven twenty!"

"Seven forty!"

"Seven seventy-five!"

The bids came rapidly, flaring with pride, need, and personal vendettas. Elder Lan Yi's voice rose sharply, "Eight hundred thousand! My Pavilion has already begun soul-path cultivation for our next generation. This lantern is ours!"

Someone scoffed. "And burn it out in a useless ceremony like last time?"

"Slander! Your sect wouldn't even understand the inscriptions carved on it!"

Ling Xian chuckled inwardly.

This is more entertainment than I expected. Though I don't need it now, it's useful to know who's desperate. Soul-based cultivation is rare in the lower realm. I should remember these names… for later deals or threats.

"Eight fifty!"

"Nine hundred thousand!"

A heavy silence fell.

Then came a slow, deliberate voice from a corner box seat. "One million spirit stones."

All eyes turned. The bidder was cloaked in a black robe, face obscured, aura faint—but tinged with power. Whispers flew. Some believed he was from the elusive Soul Stele Valley.

The hall turned to Elder Han, who clenched his fists, beads of sweat on his brow. His sect treasury couldn't go beyond that. Lan Yi gritted her teeth but said nothing. No one else dared speak.

Feng Lianhua smiled lightly, letting the tension hang.

"Going once…"

"Going twice…"

"Going thr—"

"Wait!"

Everyone looked. The Golden Spirit Sect elder stood again, face pale. "One million and twenty thousand! We'll pay with spirit stones and a high-grade soul pill set!"

Feng Lianhua tilted her head. "Will the one-million bidder respond?"

A heartbeat passed.

The man in black chuckled. "One million, one hundred thousand."

A collective gasp. Even Ling Xian narrowed his eyes slightly.

He raised that without hesitation. Either he's mad or he's got something terrifying planned for that lantern.

Golden Spirit Sect's elder grunted, then sat down with a bitter laugh. "Fine. Enjoy it… freak."

Feng Lianhua's voice rang out like a bell. "Going once. Going twice. And—sold! To the honored guest of the Soul Stele Valley for 1.1 million spirit stones!"

A thunderous round of claps echoed through the auction hall.

Ling Xian remained quiet, inwardly satisfied.

The final item wasn't for me. But I gained something better tonight—connections, attention, and tools for the future. And most of all… the Voidstone Core and the Starlit Root are mine. Step by step, my return begins.

Feng Lianhua gently raised her hand again. "That concludes tonight's grand auction. Thank you all for your presence and generous bidding. May fortune favor your cultivation paths."

As the crowd slowly dispersed, a few powerful figures stayed behind—including Matriarch Qin, whose gaze drifted to Feng Lianhua with a request brewing on her lips…